Four brothers arrested in connection with theft ring

Four brothers have been arrested and face stolen property charges following a three-month long investigation into thefts from stores in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Post Falls and Airway Heights.

Taken into custody were: Vitaliy Kozubenko, 24, and his brothers, Dmitriy, 18, Denis, 25, and a juvenile whose name was not released by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Property crimes detectives from Spokane Valley and Post Falls served a search warrant at a home near the 6100 block of East 15th Avenue in Spokane Valley, a news release said. The brothers were taken into custody on suspicion of multiple felonies, including trafficking in stolen property, theft with intent to resell, burglary and possession of a controlled substance.

Through the investigation of 15 different cases, detectives learned the brothers would allegedly steal items including vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners, sewing machines and air conditioning units from stores including Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and Fred Meyer. They would then resell them on Craigslist, the release said.

The brothers were booked into the Spokane County Jail and Juvenile Detention this morning. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

Spokane Valley is poised for growth with a balanced budget, a new city hall building and infrastructure improvements to lure new businesses to the city, Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins said at a State of the City address on Wednesday.